title: Creation of a criterion-referenced Military Optimal Performance Challenge.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare an empirical, Army doctrine-based (endurance, strength, mobility, military relevant tasks), criterion-referenced, body mass (BM) unbiased Military Optimal Performance Challenge (MOPC) to the Army's Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and thus assisting commanders to determine military readiness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Militarily-relevant physical assessments were combined to create a composite MOPC score. The MOPC and APFT were administered to 20 male, military subjects during a 2-week period. Data collection included 3-Mile Run, Mobility Test, Upper/Lower Body Strength/Endurance, Simulated Casualty Evacuation Test. The APFT was administered through Army guidelines before MOPC data collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The APFT was influenced by BM, lean body mass (LBM) (r = -0.44; r(2) = 0.20; p = 0.04), whereas MOPC was less impacted (r = 0.21; r(2) = 0.04; p = 0.32). Eight subjects, as viewed by %APFT, are "fit for duty" (80.6%); however, all eight subjects' mean score as %MOPC was <50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MOPC offers a robust approach to military readiness and is free of the confounding influence of BM. The MOPC is a unique assessment requiring a multitude of abilities to garner success and may assist in training for functional combat performance skills demanding high work capacities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996.
authors.forename: Todd A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Crowder
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Max D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Levinbook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012420:Running; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult